Ryan Reeder
History 485
Susan Rugh
January 4, 2000
After examining four book reviews in the February, April, and June 1994 editions of the American Historical Review, I discovered that book reviews tended to show many common elements. While allowing for variance based on the types of history (biography, narrative, persuasive, etc.), and different forms in which these points were presented, all that I studied in some form or other describe the book's cataloging information, state the book's thesis (or purpose), evaluate its strengths and weaknesses, and offer a recommendation of the book. Some include more elements, but these points seem to be the core components of a professional book review.
The first book review I read was Science, Religion, and Mormon Cosmology written by Erich Robert Paul and reviewed by Mario S. De Pillis. This review had a very straightforward format in its four paragraphs. The first presented Paul's thesis, offered some of his conclusions, and described some of his major supporting points. The second paragraph showed Paul's strengths; the third evaluated his weaknesses. In these paragraphs, De Pillis presents very specific instances of Paul's strong and weak points, including weaknesses both of commission and omission. Finally, De Pillis concludes with a statement of the general tone of the book and offers a recommendation.
The second review was of Louis H. Feldman's Jew and Gentile in the Ancient World: Attitudes and Interactions from Alexander to Justinian by James E. Seaver. The format of this review is markedly different from De Pillis', yet still contains the same basic elements. The first of his seven paragraphs is a description of the field. He tells what others have written on the subject, what Feldman has written on the subject, and the "technical apparatus" of this particular book. The second paragraph is an overview, describing the contents of the major groupings of chapters. The next three paragraphs present three of Feldman's major theses, then analyze the problems of each. The sixth paragraph points out the strengths of the work, and is followed by a recommendation.
The third review was Frank D. McCann's review of Jeffrey Klaiber's The Catholic Church in Peru, 1821-1985: A Social History. This book appears to be a narrative history. In the first paragraph of the review, McCann points out the context of Klaiber's topic and states the thesis. He follows by explaining the significance and giving an overview of the work. The next two paragraphs describe the major themes of the Catholic Church in Peru in the 19th and 20th centuries, respectively. Finally, McCann describes Klaiber's expertise and background on the topic and gives a recommendation.
The last review I read was Gene A. Sessions' Prophesying upon the Bones: J. Reuben Clark and the Foreign Debt Crisis, 1933-1939 by Robert F. Himmelberg. This book is a biography. The first paragraph of the review gives a synopsis of J. Reuben Clark's life. It is followed by a paragraph describing both the internal and external weaknesses of the book. The third paragraph points out some "significant findings," followed by more weaknesses. The last paragraph offers a qualified recommendation.
Through examining these reviews, I learned that there is no definitive formula for a good book review. However, some elements should be included. The review should clearly state the book's thesis. It should cite specific examples of the book's strengths and weaknesses. It should also offer a recommendation, since the purpose of a book review is to help people decide if they should read the entire work or not. It can also offer an overview of the work, and provide the historical background and context of the work, the author, and the topic. In addition, different kinds of history are usually reviewed differently. It is not necessary for a biography to have as strong a thesis as a persuasive argument, for example, and it is not as necessary for the review to focus on the thesis. These are my conclusions after reading these four book reviews.
Reviews:
Feldman, Louis H. Jew and Gentile in the Ancient World: Attitudes and Interactions from Alexander to Justinian, Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1993. Reviewed by James E. Seaver in American Historical Review, June 1994, 878.
Klaiber, Jeffrey. The Catholic Church in Peru, 1821-1985: A Social History, Washington D.C.: Catholic University of America Press, 1992. Reviewed by Frank D. McCann in American Historical Review, June 1994, 1010.
Paul, Erich Robert. Science, Religion, and Mormon Cosmology, Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 1992. Reviewed by Mario S. De Pillis in American Historical Review April 1994, 662.
Sessions, Gene A. Prophesying upon the Bones: J. Reuben Clark and the Foreign Debt Crisis, 1933-1939, Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 1992. Reviewed by Robert F. Himmelberg in American Historical Review, February 1994, 323.